SEATTLE — The Mariners have traded infielder Yuniesky Betancourt to the Kansas City Royals for two young pitchers.

The Mariners will have 22-year-old right-hander Danny Cortes report to AA West Tenn in the Southern League and 21-year-old left-hander Derrick Saito to Class A Clinton in the Midwest League.

The 27-year-old Betancourt was hitting .250 this season for Seattle. He's currently on a rehab assignment with AAA Tacoma.

Betancourt was signed as a free agent in Jan. 2005 and appeared in 588 with the Mariners, hitting .279.